<<nosewheel......easier on takeoff and landing than their taildragger
counterparts, especially in a strong crosswind.>>
Not necessarily.
The tri gear can be steered only by its rudder and mainwheel brakes. The
fixed taildragger can elect also to keep its tailwheel on the ground for
additional steering effect, until the rudder is fully effective.
At which point the fixed taildragger can raise its tail to a position that
keeps the mainwheels firmly on the ground; whereas a tri gear would
wheelbarrow if this is to be tried.
The crosswind limitation of the TD is probably therefore higher than the
trigear, for a given level of pilot familiarity.
Duncan Mcf.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gilles Thesee" <Gilles.Thesee@ac-grenoble.fr>
Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 8:51 PM
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Mono or Tri-Gear, what to choose?
>
> <Gilles.Thesee@ac-grenoble.fr>
>
> zwakie a crit :
>> Well, I guess you will know where this is leading: I will have to decide
>> between a mono-gear or nose-wheel Europa, and would like to find out if
>> flying the mono-gear is that much more difficult as compared to the
>> nose-wheel. I also would like to get some idea of how a nose-wheel Europa
>> compares to f.i. Cessna's 152/172 in terms of handling it in take-off and
>> landings.
>>
>> All information that you can provide to help me in my decision-making
>> process is highly appreciated!
>>
>>
>
> Zwakie,
>
> The only thing we can take for granted is that nosewheel aircraft are
> usueally easier on takeoff and landing than their taildragger
> counterparts, especially in a strong crosswind.
> I was never offered the opportunity to ride or fly a Europa, but my answer
> to such a question would be "Arrange to fly both models in order to get an
> opinion by yourself".
> I'm sure you'll have no difficuly finding a Europa pilot willing to take
> you on board to get a feeling of his dreambird.
>
> If you are reasonably well trained and proficient, a reasonably
> experienced pilot will have no problems leaving you the control for the
> takeoff and landing in a well behaved airplane.
> If he insists on keeping the controls, then ask another pilot in another
> airplane ;-)
>
> But don't launch in a project before having flown the model you are
> considering. Or at the very least, have a competent and reliable pilot
> friend fly it for you.
>
> Best regards,
> --
> Gilles
> http://contrails.free.fr
>
>
>
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